Qin Liuxi had a room dedicated to her rest and cultivation in the Daoist Temple, and after speaking with Master Chi Yuan, she entered her room to retrieve yellow paper and vermilion to draw talismans.
The scene of her speaking with Master Chi Yuan was also witnessed by Qi Qian and others.
"This old Taoist, clearly acquainted with Buqiu, yet stubbornly refuses to tell us, could he be intentionally keeping us in suspense?" Ying Nan, with a pallid complexion from anger, declared: "No, I must go forward and ask him."
He dashed towards Chi Yuan in a few quick strides and confronted him with a grim face: "Temple master, you clearly recognize Buqiu, why have you been stringing us along for days? Do you not realize lives are at stake?"
"Ying Nan, show some respect!" Qi Qian stepped forward and rebuked him mildly, his voice carrying little anger.
He also did not understand, why the temple master of Qingping Temple, who clearly knew Buqiu, would not connect them.
"My subordinate was rude, I beg the temple master to not take offense, it's just his youthful impetuosity and lack of patience," stated Qi Qian with a slight arrogance.
Master Chi Yuan flicked his horsetail whisk and said, "As for karma..."
"Karma, karma, do you, as an old Daoist, think we are ignorant? Isn't karma and retribution a Buddhist concept? You are Taoist, what business do you have talking about karma?" Ying Nan interrupted without any courtesy.
"Good sir, Taoism also speaks of karma, everyone has their fate set by the Heavenly Dao, how dare I meddle with it?" replied the old Taoist.
"We are merely here to seek medical help, asking you, old Taoist, to facilitate an introduction, how does that involve the Heavenly Dao? That's quite a stretch!" Ying Nan snorted and said, "You're clearly just making excuses."
Chi Yuan maintained a smile: "When the destined moment arrives, the good sir will get what he seeks."
Qi Qian raised an eyebrow.
"Heh, you old Taoist, speaking as if reciting a Buddha's poem..." said Ying Nan.
"Ying Nan." As Qi Qian spoke, Ying Nan immediately stepped back.
Master Chi Yuan looked at Qi Qian, his eyes deep, and said, "Some people, with shallow ties to their parents, should remember not to force things, good sir."
Qi Qian caught his breath, his lips pursed for a moment before he managed a faint smile: "Do not blame my subordinate, even I feel the Daoist is reciting a Buddha's poem."
"The abbot of the neighboring Wuxiang Temple is a good friend of mine," smiled Master Chi Yuan.
Watching Master Chi Yuan walk away, Ying Nan said, "Master, this old Taoist really is..." he seemed to deserve a smack, as did Buqiu.
Qi Qian said, "Let it be, he did touch upon a truth, that we will always end up waiting."
The other side hadn't said they had found the wrong person, which meant that the young man was indeed Buqiu, so young.
Qin Liuxi drew several talismans and stacked them neatly, rubbing her nose before getting up, opening the window, and seeing the noble young master.
"Master, are you planning to descend the mountain?" Chen Pi approached.
"Yes." If not for those people at home, Qin Liuxi would have planned to reside on the mountain.
Packing up the talismans, Qin Liuxi descended the mountain.
"Master, there are men following us," said Chen Pi as he looked back at several strong, high-headed horses.
With an indifferent command, Qin Liuxi said, "Take a detour through Wanhuai Forest."
The carriage entered a narrow path.
Qi Qian and his party immediately followed, but as they walked, their expressions changed.
"Master," Ying Nan said with a hint of panic looking at Qi Qian, they had wandered for a long time, the carriage in front had long disappeared, and they found themselves going in circles; this tree, they had passed it five times already.
Could this be the legendary "ghost hitting the wall"?
Qi Qian's expression was very serious, he glanced up at the towering locust trees which had covered the sky; the surroundings were ink-dark, and the rustling of tree tops in the wind sounded sinister and terrifying, as if something they had never encountered before might leap out at them.
The other party had intentionally led them into the forest.
Was it a warning for following them?
Qi Qian gripped the reins tightly, his lips tight with apprehension, and decisively ordered, "Build a fire, we'll spend the night here."
He had underestimated the young master.